Pattern planting strip and mulch



Attorney Feb. 23, 1932. R. oTwELl.

PATTERN PLANTING STRIP AND MULCH Filed April 24, 1931 @47,4 f3. By 'fwPatented Feb. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES RALPH B. OTWELL, OF-DETROIT,MICHIGAN PATTERN PLANTING STRIP AND Application led April 24,

My invention relates to a method of plant.- ing seeds, bulbs or the likeembodying the use ot a fabric provided with a plurality of openings otsuitable size and form, so ary, ranged in relation to each other thatwhen laid upon a suitably prepared seed bed, a

planting may be made through the openings therein as indicated on theplan or pattern which will harmonize in size, color and y@ bloomingperiod to produce an artistic, colorlul and striliing planting eect.

@ne object ot the present invention is to indicate upon a paper strip byprinting or other means, adjacent the marginal'edge of it its respectiveopenings, the names of the shrubs, 'bulbs or seeds to he planted in theseed bed exposed through the respective openings, and to indicate bysymbol or words whether the same are annuals, biennials, per- :toennials or climbers,-also the appropriate time 'lor planting same, thecolor ot the bloom, the' approximate size when grown, and other data ontinterest to the grower.

llt is also the purpose ot the present invenat tion to group theseplants in such relation that they may be complementary in colorv andsite, that is to say the colors of the respective groupings willharmonize with the taller plants or shrubs grouped near one edge for tuplanting adjacent a wall and with those ot samewhat lesser height,directly in front of the taller plants, so that upon reaching maturitythey may gradually taper downwardly trom the taller shrubs or plantstoward a h5 group ot low-growing border plants, at the outer edge, andthus all may be readily seen and obtain sucient sunlight for growth.

lt is well lmown that to produce a continuous blooming eiect throughoutthe sum- W mer, or a bed which will have awell-rounded top and center,that the bulbs or seeds must be planted progressively at differentperiods varying trom a few days to a week or more, so that the bulbs orseeds first planted may 45 have an earlier start and thereby reachmaturity and their blooming period somewhat earlier than those followingthe first plantin lt is one of the objects of this invention to Windicate adjacent the openings by printing 1931. Serial No. 532,579.

or other means such suggestions as may appear desirable regarding theproper culture of the plants that these matters may be givenconsideration when caring for the plants or seed beds.`

This invention has also a dual purpose, for not only is it designed toserve as a pattern for planting shrubs, bulbs or seeds, with definiteinstructions as to their care, but it also serves as a mulch, coveringthe seed bed ll@ surrounding the planting areas to prevent theevaporation of moisture in the soil that the seeds in. the plantingareas may be nourished, it being proposed that the mulch should remainon the seed bed during the growing season under normal conditions, itmay, however, be removed during a protracted wet season if necessaryfor'the proper development of the plants.

lt is well understood by those who have used mulching paper that thesoil covered by the paper serves to discourage the growth ot weeds,themoisture however in the soil which might otherwise evaporate is thusconserved and flows to the seeds and bulbs that l have been planted inthe soil exposed through the openings provided-in thevmulching paper.

lt is also the purpose of this invention to provide the mulching paperwith arbitrarily shaped openings to meet the requirements ot m those whodesire ornamental flowering beds ot a geometrical or other form. p

lt will be obvious that through the use ot this invention, beautifulfloral ed'ects may be readily visualized by those untrained andinexperienced in such matters due to the grouping of suitable plantswhich will produce a harmonious and colorful effect, if the directionsindicated upon the fabric are properly m f executed.

It is also my purpose to provide a mulching paper of varying sizes andforms, adapted either for seed beds, a continuous line of planting alongfence walls, foundation walls with openings for shrubs,-tall and lowgrowing perennials,'-plants living from year tov year,-p1ants living forone to two seasons,- plants resistant to the average seasonal eX- tremesof high and low temperature, also plants that will stand frost andsometimes ex- 1w tremesof heat, the whole being designed to' produce acontinuous harmonious effect in color,'size, and ground line.

It is also the purpose ofthis invention to provide such data andinformation adjacent each marginal opening that there may be no room fordoubt as to the period in which the respective plantings should be made,the care the plants should receive, the color effect they will producewhen in bloom, and the approximate size of the plant upon reachingmaturity.

`With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention further resides in the combinationand arrangement of such details as will be hereinafter described andclaimed, it being understood that changes maybe made in the preciseembodiment of the invention herein disclosed without departing from thespirit of the same.

In the drawings accompanying this specilication:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view indicating a strip of fabric formedwith a plurality of openings of suitable form grouped to secure aneffective planting of seeds or bulbs sown in the soil exposed throughthe openings in the, fabric, and specific instructions relativefto theseeds, bulbs or plants and their care printedadjacent the respectiveopenings.

Figure 2 is a similar diagrammatic view of a strip of mulching paperhaving a plurality of openings with relatively7 large dotted areasconcentric to the respectivefopenings, to indicate the space covered bythe plants when fully grown, and the groupingin relation to other plantsadjacent thereto, or other informative data.

-Referring now to the letters of reference placed upon the drawings:

A denotes a strip of mulching fabric provided with a plurality ofopenings B, eXposing when laid the previously prepared seed bed, also aplurality of broken lines B1, denoting the approximate area of theplants whenA fully grown.

At the end of the seasoi it may be removed and stored for use in thefollowin year.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A pattern planting strip having a plurality of openings thereinsuitably grouped and of varying size and form in combination withinformative data adjacent the respective openings.

2. A pattern planting strip, comprising a mulching fabric having aplurality of openings therein grouped in a predetermined manner forvarious sizes of plants and formed in combination with informative dataadjacent the respective openings.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specification.

RALPH B. OTWELL.

C indicates certain data printed upon or` otherwise impressed upon thefabric adjacent the openings,-denoting the character of the plants,bulbs or seeds which are to be planted in the soil through therespective openings, also the time for planting in certain climates, andif progressively planted the time that the respective seeds or bulbs areto be placed in the ground to secure a proper relative growth inreference to each other.

The mulching fabric is preferably of a dark color that it may not beconspicuous and it may be left upon the seed bed during the entiregrowing season to check the growth of weeds and to conserve the moisturein the soil for the plants.

i 1an

